The 20 best crackpot ideas in Seattle

By VANESSA HO

July 21, 2013 10:09 PM

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Seattle has had some great crazy ideas lately, from glass cubes on the Space Needle to workspace bubbles by Amazon.
With Amazon's biosphere plan up for another review next month, here's a look at Seattle's best mad-genius* ideas, from those that transformed the city to those that thankfully died. (Floating stadium, anyone?) less

Seattle has had some great crazy ideas lately, from glass cubes on the Space Needle to workspace bubbles by Amazon.
With Amazon's biosphere plan up for another review next month, here's a look at Seattle's ... more

Seattle has had some great crazy ideas lately, from glass cubes on... Photo-4944325.66779 - seattlepi.com

In May, Amazon proposed three bubbles (biospheres) for its new... Photo-4944335.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Amazon's plan, which calls for lots of open space, is scheduled for its second design review in August. Said the company:
''The curvilinear form sets it apart from its immediate surroundings, and consciously avoids the look of a typical corporate office building.'' less

Amazon's plan, which calls for lots of open space, is scheduled for its second design review in August. Said the company:
''The curvilinear form sets it apart from its immediate surroundings, and ... more

Amazon's plan, which calls for lots of open space, is... Photo-4944336.66779 - seattlepi.com

Here's an idea that never made it: An underwater tunnel in Union Bay.
Proposed in 1961, it was part of the R.H. Thomson Expressway that was never built. The view is from Laurelhurst looking south.

Here's an idea that never made it: An underwater tunnel in Union Bay. Proposed in 1961, it was part of the R.H. Thomson Expressway that was never built. The view is from Laurelhurst looking south.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr

Here's an idea that never made it: An underwater tunnel in... Photo-4944338.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Floating stadium: Another idea that fizzled. King County officials actually supported this 1963 plan, which called for a floating pro-sports, retractable-roof stadium on Elliott Bay. You could get there by ferry, rail, bus, seaplane and monorail, the designers envisioned.
The wackiness died, and instead we got the … less

Floating stadium: Another idea that fizzled. King County officials actually supported this 1963 plan, which called for a floating pro-sports, retractable-roof stadium on Elliott Bay. You could get there by ... more

Space Needle glass cubes: This idea - for three viewing cubes on the Needle's halo 500 feet in the air - was pitched last year. But things have since gone dormant. (Space Needle reps did not return requests for comment). less

Space Needle glass cubes: This idea - for three viewing cubes on the Needle's halo 500 feet in the air - was pitched last year. But things have since gone dormant. (Space Needle reps did not return requests for ... more

Another view of last year's proposal for sky-high viewing cubes in the Space Needle's crown.

Another view of last year's proposal for sky-high viewing cubes in the Space Needle's crown.

Another view of last year's proposal for sky-high viewing... Photo-4944342.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Would this have been cool in Seattle? Here's a viewing cube in Chicago's Willis Tower, installed in 2009 at 1,353 feet off the ground.

Would this have been cool in Seattle? Here's a viewing cube in Chicago's Willis Tower, installed in 2009 at 1,353 feet off the ground.

Photo: Scott Olson

Would this have been cool in Seattle? Here's a viewing cube in... Photo-4944343.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Then a crazy waterfront idea: To turn this longtime, contaminated, industrial stretch along Elliott Bay into something green, pretty and public.
This is what the Olympic Sculpture Park site looked like for decades, when it was a fuel dock. Photo: P-I File, PEMCO Webster & Stevens Collection, Museum of History & Industry. less

Then a crazy waterfront idea: To turn this longtime, contaminated, industrial stretch along Elliott Bay into something green, pretty and public. This is what the Olympic Sculpture Park site looked like for ... more

Then a crazy waterfront idea: To turn this longtime, contaminated,... Photo-4944344.66779 - seattlepi.com

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In 1999, the Seattle Art Museum raised $16.5 million to buy the nine-acre industrial site from oil company Unocal. Then it opened the now world-famous Olympic Sculpture Park in 2007.

In 1999, the Seattle Art Museum raised $16.5 million to buy the nine-acre industrial site from oil company Unocal. Then it opened the now world-famous Olympic Sculpture Park in 2007.

After the Olympic Sculpture Park opened in 2007. Photo-4944347.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Can you guess what this is? Hint: This thing is 65 feet high.

Can you guess what this is? Hint: This thing is 65 feet high.

Can you guess what this is? Hint: This thing is 65 feet high. Photo-4944348.66779 - seattlepi.com

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It's the climbing pinnacle at the REI's flagship Seattle store. When it opened in 1996, it was hailed for its eco-nerdery, bike-testing trail and Northwest beauty. But it had one goofy idea that didn't last (see last photo). less

It's the climbing pinnacle at the REI's flagship Seattle store. When it opened in 1996, it was hailed for its eco-nerdery, bike-testing trail and Northwest beauty. But it had one goofy idea that didn't last ... more

This idea for a hanging tube of a monorail was proposed in 1958 for the World's Fair, and rejected.

This idea for a hanging tube of a monorail was proposed in 1958 for the World's Fair, and rejected.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr

This idea for a hanging tube of a monorail was proposed in 1958... Photo-4944350.66779 - seattlepi.com

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So was this 1958 idea for a people-mover on Westlake Ave. called the ''Carveyor.'' It was envisioned to go to Interbay and turn around in a merry-go-round-looking terminal.

So was this 1958 idea for a people-mover on Westlake Ave. called the ''Carveyor.'' It was envisioned to go to Interbay and turn around in a merry-go-round-looking terminal.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr

So was this 1958 idea for a people-mover on Westlake Ave. called... Photo-4944351.66779 - seattlepi.com

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The then-futuristic monorail design that was chosen for the 1962 World's Fair.

The then-futuristic monorail design that was chosen for the 1962 World's Fair.

The then-futuristic monorail design that was chosen for the 1962... Photo-4944352.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Speaking of people movers: Here's what Ballard might have looked like, if the embattled Green Line monorail had succeeded. The plan – originally for a 14-mile, West Seatte-to-Ballard line - died in 2005, after financing problems surfaced. Taxpayers paid nearly $125 million for a project that never happened.
(Image from 2003). less

Speaking of people movers: Here's what Ballard might have looked like, if the embattled Green Line monorail had succeeded. The plan – originally for a 14-mile, West Seatte-to-Ballard line - died in 2005, ... more

The Central Library, which opened in 2004. Photo-4944355.66779 - seattlepi.com

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The interior of Seattle's Central Library is as stunning and weird as its exterior.

The interior of Seattle's Central Library is as stunning and weird as its exterior.

The interior of Seattle's Central Library is as stunning and... Photo-4944356.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Before Vulcan and Amazon transformed South Lake Union with offices and condos, there was Paul Allen's vision in '90s of a giant urban park called the ''Seattle Commons.'' Supporters dreamed of NYC's Central Park in Seattle; opponents worried Allen would just get richer. less

Before Vulcan and Amazon transformed South Lake Union with offices and condos, there was Paul Allen's vision in '90s of a giant urban park called the ''Seattle Commons.'' Supporters dreamed of NYC's Central ... more

Before Vulcan and Amazon transformed South Lake Union with offices... Photo-4944358.66779 - seattlepi.com

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What South Lake Union might have looked like had voters approved Seattle Commons. Instead, they killed it twice, the last time in 1996.
(Image is from 1995).

What South Lake Union might have looked like had voters approved Seattle Commons. Instead, they killed it twice, the last time in 1996.
(Image is from 1995).

What South Lake Union might have looked like had voters approved... Photo-4944359.66779 - seattlepi.com

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What if Seattle's famous ''ramps to nowhere'' had gone somewhere? These dead-end ramps in the Arboretum were part of the R.H. Thomson Expressway, which, had it been fully built, would have looked like …

What if Seattle's famous ''ramps to nowhere'' had gone somewhere? These dead-end ramps in the Arboretum were part of the R.H. Thomson Expressway, which, had it been fully built, would have looked like …

What if Seattle's famous '' ramps to nowhere... Photo-4944360.66779 - seattlepi.com

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...this. Pictured is the proposed Arboretum interchange in 1960 for the thwarted R.H. Thomson Expressway.

...this. Pictured is the proposed Arboretum interchange in 1960 for the thwarted R.H. Thomson Expressway.

Another sketch of the R.H. Thomson Expressway, scrapped in 1971, after neighborhood outcry. Pictured is the planned Madison Street interchange, which would have ruined the Central District.

Another sketch of the R.H. Thomson Expressway, scrapped in 1971, after neighborhood outcry. Pictured is the planned Madison Street interchange, which would have ruined the Central District.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr

Another sketch of the R.H. Thomson Expressway, scrapped in 1971,... Photo-4944363.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Good thing the R.H. Thomson freeway never went through. Where would summer swimmers jump from in the Arboretum?
But Seattle's ramps to nowhere will be torn down by 2016, as part of an major improvement project. less

This grim-looking model called for high-rises at the Pike Place Market, as part of a 1968 urban renewal plan. Or, as Flickr user fnarf described it: ''Pretty interesting architecture, actually, in a Death Star kind of way.'' less

This grim-looking model called for high-rises at the Pike Place Market, as part of a 1968 urban renewal plan. Or, as Flickr user fnarf described it: ''Pretty interesting architecture, actually, in a Death Star ... more

This grim-looking model called for high-rises at the Pike Place... Photo-4944367.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Pike Place Market today.

Pike Place Market today.

Pike Place Market today. Photo-4944368.66779 - seattlepi.com

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This 1970 design for a waterfront park in Seattle could have been the inspiration for ...

This 1970 design for a waterfront park in Seattle could have been the inspiration for ...

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr

This 1970 design for a waterfront park in Seattle could have been... Photo-4944369.66779 - seattlepi.com

A 1960 proposal for a swimming pool at Golden Gardens. Would have been cool.

A 1960 proposal for a swimming pool at Golden Gardens. Would have been cool.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr

A 1960 proposal for a swimming pool at Golden Gardens . Would have... Photo-4944371.66779 - seattlepi.com

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Seattle Center jelly bean: This concept emerged in a 2012 contest for dreamy ideas for when Memorial Stadium is demolished. The floating ''jelly bean'' was envisioned as a cloud that manufactures fog, rain, shade and light. It didn't win. less

Seattle Center jelly bean: This concept emerged in a 2012 contest for dreamy ideas for when Memorial Stadium is demolished. The floating ''jelly bean'' was envisioned as a cloud that manufactures fog, rain, ... more